A blog about less known hiking, cycling and climbing green spaces around Kanto area, Japan.

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The Japanese Northern Alps, Yarigata-Dake 3180 meter

Hello climbing lover 🙂

As I promised you last week, here is another post about one of the most climbed mountain in Japan, Mt. Yarigata-dake, or shortly, Mt. Yari.

Mt. Yari is one of the most famous peaks in the Kita Alps, and on the ‘must climb’ list of just about every Japanese hiker. Its remote access means that it’s impossible to do as a day trip, unless you fancy hiking over 40km in one day!

As I mentioned on last week’s hike, climbing the Japanese Alps is not easy, but surprisingly, even if Mt. Yari is Higher than Kitahotaka-Dake, Mt. Yari is a lot easier to climb, but still, hikers need to be fully prepared in order to avoid the worst.

For more information about things you need to climb the Northern Japanese Alps comfortably and safely, how to get there and possible hiking plan, check my older post here.

One more thing I would like to talk about in today’s post is how to avoid altitude sickness.

As Mt. Yari is 3180 meter high, so there is great chance you will get altitude sickness.

Now, what is altitude sickness? it is a pathological condition that is caused by acute exposure to low air pressure. It commonly occurs above 2,400 meters (about 8000 feet). Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Headache, vomiting, and dizziness are primary symptoms.

You may recover from these symptoms by taking some rest, but if not, you have no other choice than to climb down the mountain. To avoid suffering HACE and fully enjoy mountaineering, a though and precations physical management is highly recommended.

Prevention

Select high-elevation places like “Kamikochi” and “Hirayu” for a stay prior to climbing, so that your body can gradually adjust to the climate.

Get plenty of sleep.

Takes lots of fluid while hiking/climbing.

Do not rush to bed upon arrival at the mountain hut. Breathing would slow down while asleep which often causes sickness. Stay awake until your body adjusts to the higher elevation.